Trestle leg assembly



April 12, 1949. H. B. IMES 23,097

TRESTLE LEG AS SEMBLY Original Filed Dec. 29, 1945 nver vfor Hurry EL[THEE B Reissued Apr. 12, 1949 TRESTLE LEG ASSEMBLY Harry B. Imes,deceased, late of Louisville, Ky., by Mary W. Imes, executrix,Louisville, Ky.

Original No. 2,419,778, dated April 29, 1947, Serial No. 638,328,December 29, 1945.

Application for reissue March 2'7, 1948, Serial No. 17,461

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a trestle leg assembly, and more particularlyto an assembly of the foldable and portable type.

Prior trestle, or as more commonly known, horse constructions have beencharacterized by an inherent awkward shape and bulkiness which has madethem difiicult to move or store. By reason of the protruding legs, theyhave been susceptible to breaking in handling or moving, and looseningof the joints thereof to an extent to render them useless.

It is an object of my invention to provide a novel trestle leg assemblyof a foldable and portable nature that can be easily transported orstored and is substantially indestructible.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a novel trestle legassembly, capable of being folded and easily handled when not in use,and capable of being assembled with a like leg assembly and a cross barof conventional type such as a 2 x 4 timber to form an exceedingly rigidand strong trestle.

A further object of my invention is the pro-' vision of a novel trestleassembly of foldable character that may be quickly and easily unfoldedand assembled in combination with a like leg assembly and a suitablecross bar, the leg assemblies being so formed that the desired angularrelations of the legs relative to both the longitu dinal axis of thecross bar and a vertical plane passing therethrough are immediately andautomatically determined without the necessity of any adjustment.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a novel foldabletrestle leg assembly wherein a pair of leg members are pivotallyconnected in association with a toggle assembly in a manner whereby thetoggle assembly functions to cause the upper ends of the legs to rigidlygrip a cross bar and to lock the assembly in that position.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will appear from thefollowing description and claims taken in connection with the attacheddrawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a trestle or horse employing preferredembodiments of the leg as semblies of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of one of the le assemblies of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2 with the leg assembly shownin collapsed position.

Fig. 5 is an exploded view of one leg showing 2 the mechanism forvarying the effective length of the leg.

Fig. 6 is a perspective of a detail illustrating the manner in which thecross-bar receiving members are preferably secured to the upper ends ofthe legs.

Fig. '7 is a front elevation of the detail of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of a detail showing the manner in which thepins or rivets are preferably secured.

The preferred embodiment of my invention, as illustrated herein,includes two legs I l and 12, preferably formed of channel-shaped metalwith the open faces thereof facing inwardly as shown in Fig. 2. Theupper ends of the legs are connected by a link it which is preferablyconnected to leg H in fixed or non-pivoted relation by two rivets orpins l4, and pivotally connected to leg l2 by a single pin or rivet l5so that the legs are pivotally mounted relative to one another. While asingle pin or rivet may be employed in leg II in lieu of double pins li, it is preferred to fix the link to the leg in a predetermined angularrelation as shown so that when the assembly is opened to the positionshown in Fig. 2, the upper surface of the link is substantiallyhorizontal and functions in part as a base for the supported cross bar.

A toggle like assembly including links I6 and I1, secured, respectively,to legs l2 and II by pins I8 and i9 and secured together by pin 20, ismounted below link is, the link ll being formed with a stop lug 2| sothat when the legs are expanded and the toggle moved to the positionshown in Fig. 2, the lug 2i engages the upper surface of link 16 and theleg assembly is positively locked in position. Links l6 and l! arepreferably formed of equal lengths between pins IB and I9 and theconnecting pin 20 to permit the assembly to be compactly folded as showin Fig. 4.

An angular shaped cross-bar receiving member 22 is preferably secured tothe upper end of each leg above the pivotal link 13, preferably in themanner shown in Figs. 6 and 7. As shown, each member includes asubstantially vertical section or rai1 23 and a horizontal section orshelf 24 when viewed as in Fig. 2. The central portion of the verticalface is preferably cut and bent rearwardly to form two rearwardlyextending ears 25 which are spaced apart sufficiently to fit snuglyWithin the adjacent channel section of the leg, the ears being securedagainst movement by a pin or rivet 26.

Referring to Fig. 3, it will be noted that the ears 25 are cut at anangle such that when assembled with the upper end of the leg, section 24lies in a plane at a predetermined angle to the plane passing throughthe longitudinal axes of the legs whereby the cross bar received thereinwhen placed flush against section 24, automatically takes apredetermined angle with respect to the leg assembly such that the legassembly is not vertical but at an angle from the vertical as shown inFig. 1 to give added support to the assembly.

In forming the upper ends of each leg, the surface 21 is formed at anangle such that with the assembly expanded and the cross-bar receivingmember 22 against surface 21 in flush relation, the section 23 of themember is in a substantially vertical position. Thus when the cross baris brought flush against sections 23, the angular relation of each legof the assembly relative to a vertical plane passing through the crossbar is predetermined.

In the folded position shown in Fig. 4, the cross-bar receiving members22 are spaced apart as shown. However, it will be noted that the member22 fixed to leg II has its section 24 substantially flush with andresting upon link 13 for added support. This relationship is maintainedin and insured by the double pin arrangement M which secures the leg I3to leg H in fixed relation. In the open position of Fig. 2, sections 24of both members 22 rest upon link I3 and receive added supporttherefrom.

In combining the leg assemblies with a cross bar 3|, such as a 2 x 4timber to create the assembly shown in Fig. 1, the cross bar is normallylaid fiat upon the ground or floor and the leg assemblies placedthereover in folded position with the members 22 about the cross bar.The lower ends of the leg assemblies as viewed in Fig. 4 are then spreadapart and the toggle assembly moved to the position shown in Fig. 2,members 22 thus being brought into firm contact and in gripping relationwith the cross bar in a manner to secure it firmly. The securing of thecross bar between the members 22 is further insured by the provision ofindentations 32 in the faces of members 22 which indentations projectinto the wood. By reason of the predetermined angular relation ofmembers 22 with respect to the upper ends of the leg, the nesting of thecross bar between the members 22 flush against all the surfaces thereofinsures the proper angular relation of the legs as shown in Figs. 1 and3. No adjustments of any nature are required, and the resultant assemblywill be found to set firmly upon a substantially level surface.

It is preferred that some means be provided to vary the effectivelengths of legs II and i2 so that the resultant trestle can be ofdifferent heights. For this purpose, the inner surface of the lower endof each leg as shown in Fig. is formed with a series of upwardly andinwardly extending notches 33 and a plurality of holes 34 through thechannel walls. the spacing between notches 33 and the spacing betweenholes 3-! being preferably the same. A separate channel member 35,preferably of slightly larger dimensions than the leg, is fitted aboutthe lower end of the leg and arranged to nest therewith as shown inFigs. 2 and 3, the bottom of the channel section 35 being preferablyformed with a flanged or footed section 36 to insure better engagementof the leg with the floor or like supporting surface. Member 35 is cutaway at its upper end at 31 to provide an elongated opening and providedwith a pin 38 extending through the opposing walls thereof. Inassembling member 35 upon the leg, the member is turned clockwiseapproximately degrees from the position shown in Fig. 5 and the bottomend of the leg inserted through the relatively large aperture formed bythe cutting off of the channel at 31 and defined by the side walls ofthe channel, the rear wall thereof and pin 38. Pin 38 may be positionedin any desired notch 33 and channel section 35 rotated counterclockwisethereabout to the position shown in Fig. 2. In this position, anaperture 39 in section 35 will be aligned with one of apertures 33 inthe leg whereupon a bolt 4| may be passed therethrough and secured as bya thumb nut 42. Preferably the spacing of notches 33 relative to holes34 is such that the weight of the leg is brought upon pin 38 and itscorresponding notch rather than upon bolt 4!. This construction enablesthe effective lengths of legs H and I2 to be readily varied while at thesame time maintaining a relative rigid leg structure, this resulting inpart from the nested relation :of .channel section 35 about the leg.Preferably the leg assembly as shown in Fig. 2 isof a heightof about24", the adjustments being made in 2" increments.

To eliminate loose play between theends of the various linkages mountedin the leg channels, I preferably indent portions of the channelsurrounding the holes in which the linkage pins are received in themanner shown at the upper end of Fig. 3 wherein an indentation 43 isformed only on one side of the channel or in the manner shown in Fig. 8wherein indentations 44 and 45 are provided on opposite sides of thechannel, the inner surfaces of the indentations thus formed being spacedapart just sufficiently to receive the adjacent end of the linkage,suitable apertures being provided in the centers of the indentations forthe pins. With the arrangement shown in Fig. 8, it is thus possible tobring all the rivet or pin heads within the dimensions of the legchannels and provide substantially flush surfaces.

While I have illustrated the trestle leg assembly of my invention aspart of a trestle or horse, it is to be understood that it is adaptableto other uses such as in scaffolding and the like. Where the assembly isto be used upon finished floors such as in setting up banquet tables inhotels, a foot of rubber, fabric or similar soft material can be appliedover feet 36.

It is to be understood that my invention ma be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from the spirit thereof. The presentembodiment is therefore to be considered as illustrative and notrestrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the claimsrather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come withinthe meaning and range vof equivalency of the claims are thereforeintended to be embraced therein.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A foldable trestle leg assembly for use in supporting a cross bar'atthe top thereof, comprising: a pair of channel-shaped legs pivotallyconnected relative to one another adjacent their upper ends; means belowthe pivotal connection including a toggle assembly for expanding thelegs below the pivotal connection and locking the legs with the upperends thereof in predetermined spaced relation to grip a cross bar; aseparate channel section of larger size than the legs nested about thelower end of each leg, each leg being formed zon its inner face adjacentthe lower end thereof with a plurality of inwardly and upwardly ex:-endin notches. each s parate channel section being provided with a pinarranged to be engaged in one of said notches when in adjusted positionand nested about the leg; and means to lock each channel section in suchadjusted position.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the upper ends of the separatechannel sections are cut away to enable each section to pivot about thepin and the pin to be removed from the engaging notch when the channelis unlocked to enable movement of the pin into another selected notch.

3. A foldable trestle leg assembly for use in supporting a cross bar atthe top thereof, comprising: a pair of channel-shaped legs positionedwith their open faces facing inwardly; a link of less width than. thechannel and having its ends secured in the channels to pivotally connectsaid legs; and a toggle assembly below said link including separatelinks of less width than the channels and having their ends secured inthe channels to expand the legs below the pivotal connection and lockthe legs in expanded position with the upper ends thereof inpredetermined spaced relation to grip a cross bar, the portion of thechannels adjacent the ends of the links being indented to forrn linkengaging sections of approximately the same width as the thickness ofthe links.

4. A foldable trestle leg assembly of the type adapted to receive across bar at its upper end and to be outwardly inclined in its operativebar supporting position at an angle to a vertical plane passingtransversely through the bar at the upper end of the assembly,compnising: a pair of downwardly diverging outwardly inclined legsoperatively arranged with their upper ends horizontally spaced toreceive a cross bar; a link adjacent to the bottom of the bar receivingspace for connecting the diverging legs pivotally to each other; atoggle assembly spaced substantially below the llink for releasablylocking the legs in diverging relationship; and a pair of Lshapedmembers arranged in opposed relationship in the bar receiving spacebetween the upper ends of the legs and secured thereto, to provide thesides and bottom of an upwardly open bar receiving channel, said membersbeing positioned when the downwardly diverging legs are in theiroutwardly inclined bar supporting position to present a pair of opposedsubstantially vertical side rails for engaging and pressing againstopposite side faces of a supported bar, and a pair of adjacentsubstantially horizontal shelves for engaging adjacent portions of thebottom face of the bar, said link pivotally connected to one leg andrigidly connected to the other leg to extend horizontally from one legto the other in the operative bar supporting position of the assembly;and said horizontal shelves resting against the upper edge of said linkwhen the trestle is in its operative bar supporting position.

5. The trestle leg assembly of claim 4 wherein the upper end portion ofeach leg is in the form of a channel which opens inwardly toward saidbar receiving space, the inward edges of the channel being shaped toextend vertically in the operative bar supporting position of thetrestle; and each rail rests against the vertical inner edges of thechannel adjacent to it and is provided with a somewhat centrallydisposed rigid securing lug extending into the channel of the legadjacent to it; and means for securing said lug in said channel.

6. A foldable trestle leg assembly of the type adapted to receive across bar at its upper end and to be outwardly inclined, (in itsoperative bar supporting position, at an angle to a vertical planepassing transversely through. the bar at the upper end of the assembly,comprising: a pair of downwardly diverging, outwardly inclined legsoperatively arranged with their upper ends horizontally spaced toreceive and support a cross bar; the upper end portion of each leg beingin the form of a channel which opens inwardly toward said bar receivingspace, the inward edges or the channel being shaped to extend verticallyin the operative bar-supporting position of the trestle; a link adjacentthe bottom of the bar receiving space for connecting the diverging legspivotally to each other; a toggle assembly spaced substantially belowthe. link for releasably locking the legs in diverging relationship; anda pair of L- shaped members arranged in opposed relationship in the barreceiving space between the upper ends of the legs, to provide the sidesand bottom of an upwardly open bar-receiving channel, said members beingpositioned, when the downwardly diverging legs are in theiroutwardly-inclined bar-supporting position, to present a pair of opposedsubstantially vertical side rails for engaging and pressing againstopposite slide faces of a supported bar and a pair oi adjacentsubstantially horizontal shelves for engaging adjacent portions of thebottom face of the bar; each rail lresting against the vertical inneredges of the channel adjacent to it and being provided with a somewhatcentrally disposed rigid securing lug extending into the channel of theleg adjacent to it; and means for securing said lug in said channel.

MARY W. IMES, Executria: of the Estate of Harry B. Imes,

Deceased.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES" PATEZNTS Number Name Date 657,648 Davidson Sept, 11, 19001,682,671 Gooding Aug. 28, 1928 2,158,939 Hussey May 16, 1939 2,198,956Thielepape Apr. 30, 1940

